NATCHITOCHES – E.T. Milligan, a Northwestern State University alumnus, winner of the International PEN Award for poetry, novelist and publisher, will read from his work and lecture on how to get published on Saturday, Oct. 21 at 1-3 p.m. at the Natchitoches Parish Library.

A native of Leesville, Milligan earned a journalism degree at NSU in 1981 where he was also in ROTC. Upon graduation, he was commissioned a 2ndlieutenant in the U.S. Army. As a student, he was a DJ at KNWD and worked in the Sports Information Office. Milligan has four novels in print; two young-adult fiction novels entitled “The Looking Glass Self” and “Inclinations of Fear,” a non-fiction biographical novel entitled “On Linda: Love, Loss and Renewal, The Case For Human Organ Sharing” and his most recent novel, a fiction detective drama, entitled “Past The Line,” which is the first in a detective book series. He is currently authoring the second book in the detective series entitled “No Badge To Hold,” which is planned for release in 2018. He has self-published a book of poetry entitled “Images of Life.” Milligan’s poetry has been published in nine national and international anthologies. Milligan founded his own book publishing company, ETM Book Publishing Company, in 2005. He has been the recipient of numerous recognitions including Who’s Who Among Students in Colleges and Universities, Outstanding Young Men in America and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Citizen of the Year. He is a member of the Independent Book Publishers of America. Through sponsorship by PMG International and Barnes and Noble, he has conducted numerous book signings in Europe and the United States. He has been an inspirational guest and keynote speaker and lecturer for numerous church, youth and civic groups and has served on a variety of charitable and educational committees and organizations. Additionally, he conducts creative writing seminars for literary groups at universities and high schools. He is also a retired U.S. Army Lieutenant Colonel, having served 23 years on active duty with military assignments both stateside and abroad and has continued on in government service as a Department of Defense civilian. For more information on Milligan’s lecture, contact Martha Uchino at (318) 238-9246 or email: martha@natlib.org.

McCrory, a legally blind graduate student at Northwestern State, has been promoted from graduate manager to director of basketball operations for the Demons by head coach Mike McConathy. Last season, McCrory was named a finalist for the “Most Courageous Award” given to an NCAA Division I basketball participant by the U.S. Basketball Writers Association. In his new role, McCrory will add responsibilities to the duties he was performing for the NSU program. He is a primary administrative aide to McConathy and the coaching staff, coordinating daily schedules for practice and travel, among other functions. “Trey is one of the most remarkable people you’ll ever meet,” said McConathy. “He inspires everyone around us because he refuses to accept limitations. He works long hours, very diligently, and is a key cog in our program because of who he is and what he does and how he does it. “He’s a great fit for this job,” said McConathy. “He’s done great work on our staff, he’s been around our program for much longer and he brings tremendous passion and commitment to every moment he’s around us.” McCrory, a Natchitoches Parish native, has officially been on the Demons’ basketball staff for four full seasons while he earned his undergraduate degree, and is on track to receive a master’s degree in sport administration this year. His vision is adequate only for 5-7 feet around him, although he does require magnifying devices to read. His family started bringing him to NSU home basketball games about a dozen years ago. When the Demons won back-to-back Southland Conference championships in 2005 and 2006, McCrory developed bonds with much of the team, notably with forward Jermaine Spencer.McCrory would join the team and coaching staff for postgame visits in the Demon locker room and through the years maintained relationships with head coach Mike McConathy and others in the program. In his sophomore season at NSU, the Demons won the 2013 Southland Conference Tournament and advanced to the NCAA Tournament in Austin, Texas. McConathy invited McCrory to join the official team party for the trip. Later that spring, McCrory approached assistant coach Bill Lewit asking to join the basketball staff, and came on board for the 2013-14 season as a student manager. He earned his undergraduate degree in a dual major of psychology and addition studies with a 3.4 grade point average. He transitioned into a graduate manager role, with more responsibilities, upon earning his undergraduate degree. Last season he became more immersed in team travel and other operational functions of the program. The Demons are preparing for the 2017-18 season, which begins with a Nov. 10 visit to Texas before home games Nov. 12 against LeTourneau and Nov. 17 against Rice at Prather Coliseum.

Relay for Life kickoff is Sept. 28: The 2018 Relay For Life kickoff is set for Thursday, Sept. 28 from 5:30-6:30 p.m. in the NSU Student Union Ballroom. There will be refreshments, information on how to get involved and the theme for 2018 will be announced.

Gunman identified in Tennessee church shooting that left 1 dead, 6 injured: Police have identified the gunman who shot a woman dead and injured six other churchgoers after he opened fire Sunday morning at a Tennessee church as services were ending. The shooting at Burnett’s Chapel Church of Christ in Antioch, Tenn., started in the church’s parking lot, according to police and the Nashville Fire Department. Nashville Metro police spokesman Don Aaron said emergency calls came in around 11:15 a.m. as services were letting out. The gunman, identified by police as 25-year-old Emanual Kidega Samson, arrived in the parking lot and first fatally fired at 39-year-old Melanie Smith, who was walking to her car, police said. Samson was wearing a neoprene half-mask and drove an SUV, Aaron said. After gunning down the woman in the parking lot, Samson went inside through the rear of the church and began “indiscriminately shooting at people,” police said, wounding six people. A church usher, identified as 22-year-old Robert Engle, ran up and confronted Samson and was subsequently pistol-whipped by him, police said. Samson was at some point shot in the left pectoral, though police still don’t know if the gun discharged on its own during Engle’s struggle with the suspect.

Job opportunities available at Spring Summer Career Graduate Day: Northwestern State University’s Office of Counseling and Career Services will sponsor its annual Spring/Summer Career Graduate Day Tuesday, Sept. 26 from 9 a.m. until 1 p.m. The event is for juniors and seniors at NSU who want to explore career opportunities, full-time jobs, internships, graduate and professional schools, career paths and volunteer opportunities. Participants will include Arkansas Tech University, Crest Industries, LLC, CSRA, Edward Jones, Enterprise Rent-A-Car, Farm Bureau Insurance, the Gallaspy College of Education and Human Development at NSU and the Harding University College of Pharmacy. Others looking to talk with NSU students are the Louisiana State Police, Louisiana Workforce Commission, LSU Law Center, Mississippi College School of Law, NSU Graduate School/Recruiting Office, Sherwin Williams, Southern University Law Center, Texas Chiropractic College, the U.S. Navy and USDA NRCS. For more information, contact the Office of Counseling and Career Services at (318) 357-5621.